Angularly adjustable support



Dec. 23, 1947. F, w 1 2,433,314 ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT Filed May17; 1946 1 FIG. 2

F|Gj5 3 I INVENTOR.

F red Hull White Attornev Patented Dec. 23, 1947 2,433,314 ANGULARLYADJUSTABLE SUPPORT Fred Hall White, Chicago, 111., assignor to Pearl VanLew White, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 17, 1946, Serial No. 670,495

3 Claims.

Th present invention relates to an angularly adjustable support and moreparticularly to a support which is especially adapted for use where itis desired to support a device or instrumentality in such a manner thatit may be adjusted to occupy any relative angular position.

Angularly adjustable supports or adjustable pivotal supports have manyapplications. In photography, for example, floodlights are extensivelyused and require adjustable means so that the lights may be brought tobear on a particular subject from any desired angle. Various means havebeen provided for adjustably supporting such floodlights which have notbeen entirely satisfactory. Usually such means comprise a clamping screwwhich is released to obtain movement of the device or instrumentalitysuch as a lamp, for example, relative to its support. In arrangementsused heretofore, a minute movement of the lamp or a final criticaladjustment thereof was not obtainable since if the clamping screw wereloosened sufiiciently to obtain movement, the device such as a lamp waslikely to move completely out of position. It would be desirable,therefore, to provide an adjustable pivotal support for a device orinstrumentality so that it can be moved to any angular position andmaintained in such position including means whereby a slight release ofthe clamping screw will permit even an infinitesimal movement of thedevice if it is de sired without in any Way effecting the clamping screwor associated mechanism.

In connection with photographic floodlights, it has been common practiceto provide a spring clamp which will grip the edge of any surfacewhereby the lamp can be fastened to any suitable support such as achair, table, or the like. Adjustable means are interposed between thesprin clamp and the floodlight or the like to adjustably support thelight at any angle with respect to the spring clamp. The presentinvention is also concerned with a simple means of fastening the springclamp to the new improved adjustable pivotal support of the presentinvention.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved support of the above-mentioned type which can be swung withfreedom through a wide arc of adjustment and which embodies a novel andsimple arrangement for efiectively holding the support in a selectedposition of adjustment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustablepivotal support for a device in which movement of the device, howeversmall;

may be obtained together with accurate positioning thereof regardless ofthe angle involved.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anadjustable pivotal support and means for fastening it to a spring clampof the type commonly used in connection with photographic floodlights.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conventional photographic floodlightembodying the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating amodification of the present invention.

Although the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention isespecially useful in connection with photographic floodlighting and thelike, it should be understood that it is applicable for a wide varietyof purposes as, for example, for holding reading lamps, spotlights,instrument trays, and almost any number of other devices orinstrumentalities. It should also be understood that the followingdescription of the invention as applied to a photographic floodlight isby way of example only.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a photographicfloodlight l0 embodying the present invention. This floodlight H1includes a reflector l I adapted to be supported from any suitablesupport by means of a spring clamp E2. The spring clamp I2 is preferablyformed of spring wire arranged in the form of a U with a coiled portionl2 comprising a plurality of turns at the base of the U so as to tend tobias the ends of the wire away from each other. However, in order thatthe ends of the wire may be biased towards each other to produce aclamping action therebetween they are arranged to cross each other as isclearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, whereby the coiled portionl2 causes deformed clamping portions I2" to move toward each other sothat any suitable member may be clamped therebetween. Preferably, theclamping portions I2" are covered with resilient material such as rubberor the like as indicated at I3 to prevent damage to furniture or othersupporting means to which the floodlight I is clamped.

In order to support the reflector II and associated lamp not shown fromthe spring clamp I2 in an adjustable manner so that light may be thrownin any desired direction, there is provided the pivotal support of thepresent invention generally indicated at I4 which comprises a U-shapedmember I5 having the base or bight of the U fastened to the spring clamp52. as will be described hereinafter. The ends of the U-shaped member I5are connected to the adjustable pivotal support of the present inventioncomprising a rotatable cylindrical member I6 having a pair ofcone-shaped recesses I1 and I8, respectively formed therein, onepositioned at either end of the rotatable cylinder I5. Arranged ininterfitting relationship with respect to the cylinder I6 are a pair ofcone-shaped members or washers I9 and 2b.. The cone-shaped members I9and 20 are shaped so as to. have the same angle as the recesses. Il andI8, whereby the end pieces IS and 2!): touch the cylindrical member I5throughout the entire interfitting conical surfaces thereof which are infrictional engagement. Although the cylindrical member I6 is rotatable,the end pieces: I9 and 2B are stationary being held in this manner bythe ends of the U-shaped member I5 which fit into recesses 2| and 22formed in end pieces I9 and 25, respectively, as is clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 3 of the. drawings. It should be understood that any othersuitable: means for holding end pieces I9 and 2E! in fixed; relationshipwith U-shaped member 55 may be equally well employed.

To hold the U-shaped member I5, the rotatable cylindrical member I6 andthe end pieces l9 and 20 in the assembled relationship shown in thedrawing, one arm of the U-shaped member I5, the end piece 25), thecylindrical member I5, and the end piece I9 are provided with alignedapertures 23, 24, 25 and 26, respectively. Also, the other arm of theU-shaped' member I5: is provided with a tapped opening 2? so that aclamping screw or bolt 28 which is extended through apertures, 23., 243.25 and. 26 may threadedly engage the tapped opening 2! so as to not onlyhold the members in assembled relationship but also to apply a clampingforce to the interfitting. conical surfaces. As illustrated, theclamping screw 28 is provided with a winged head 29 so that it mayreadily be manually adjusted with respect to the clamping force appliedtothe interfitting conical surfaces.

In order to fasten the U-shaped member I 5 to the spring clamp I2 thereis provided, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing, asuitable clamping bolt 38 having an aperture BI. therethrough into whichthe spring wire of the clamp I2 may extend. This clamping bolt 30 may bepositioned on spring clamp I2 by removing the protecting portion such asthe rubber tube. I3 from one endthereof and sliding the bolt intoposition so that the center turn of the coils I2, as is: clearly shownin Fig. 2 of the drawing, passes through the opening 3!. A suitablelockwasher 32 and a. nut 33 may then be applied to the bolt 30. whichextends through an opening 34 in the base or bight of the U-shaped clampl5 firmly to fasten. the spring. clamp I2 to the U--shaned member I5. Itwill be understood that other means may be employed for fastening thespring clamp I2 to U-shaped member I5. For example, one or more of theturns may be welded to the U-shaped clamp I5. In certain situations thismay not be desirable, however, in view of the fact that such weldingmight interfere with the operation of the clamp IE. The particulararrangement described and disclosed in the drawing is very simple andinexpensive and in addition, it satisfactorily fastens the U-shapedmember I5 to the clamp I2 without interfering with the operation ofeither member.

Any suitable means may be provided to fasten the rotatable cylinder IEto the reflector I I which, of course, supports the lamp socket andflood lamp not shown in the drawing. One such means illustrated in thedrawings comprises a ball 36 which is threaded by any suitable meansinto a threaded aperture in cylinder I6 as is clearly shown at 37 inFig. 2 of the drawing. The reflector II is provided, with a cylindricalextension I I within which is supported the lamp socket, not shown. Thiscylindrical extension II provides a very satisfactory means for clampingthe reflector II to the ball 36 described above. One means ofaccomplishing this is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing andcomprises a pair of identical members 38 which are provided at one endwith a curved portion for fitting around the cylindrical extension II ofthe reflector II and at the other end with a semi-spherical depressionso as to fit around ball 35. A bolt 39 having a winged head 30 and awing nut II is provided to clamp the members 38 so as firmly to hold thereflector II to the ball 36. An opening I52 is provided in the end ofthe cylindrical extension I I so that an electrical connection with thelamp socket within the reflector II may be made through this opening.The electrical circuit or cord for supplying the fixture withinreflector II with electrical energy is not shown in the drawing.

With the arrangement described thus far, the wing nut III is releasedslightly to make rough adjustments by moving the reflector I I withreference to the ball 35. However, the final adjustments are made withthe adjustable pivotal support I4. The screw 28 is loosened sufficientlyto permit rotational movement of cylinder I6. The cone-shaped end piecesI9 and 2D cooperating with the cone-shaped recesses in cylinder I5provide a very smooth control and in effect produce a velvety clutcharrangement. Preferably the members I 6, I9 and 20 are formed of asuitable metal having polished interengaging surfaces. Steel, brass andother metals have been found suitable. In certain cases it has also beenfound desirable to employ interfitting parts made from molded insulatingmaterial such as a suitable plastic of some sort. With this arrangement,adjustment of the pivotal support may be made affording either largemovement of the cylinder I 6 or an infinitesimal movement thereof.Wherever cylinder I6 is positioned, it will remain in that positionsince the adjustment of screw 28 willprovide any desired friction whichfurthermore insures smooth movement of the cylinder I II as contrastedwith the jerky movement of prior arrangements. Consequently, thedifiiculties encountered in prior art arrangements where a slightmovement of the support to obtain the desired positioning resulted inloosening the support with the consequent requirement of completeresetting thereof, is completel eliminated.

In the event that still more accurate control is desired, the number ofinterengaging conical surfaces which move relative to each other may beincreased as is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing for example. Thecorresponding parts of Fig. 5 are designated by the same referencenumerals as in Fig. 3. In this case, the end pieces i9 and 2t] and theU-shaped member l5 and the screw 28 are substantially identical.However, the rotatable cylindrical member I6 is replaced by acylindrical member 44 having out- Wardlly extending conical surfaces 45at either end thereof. Between the member 54 and the end piece Hi thereis provided a cylindrical member t6 having a conical recess ll at eitherend thereof. Similarly, a cylindrical member 48 is interposed betweencylindrical member it and the end piece 253. The cylindrical member 58is provided at either end with a conical recess 49. The assemb'y of theparts is obvious from the disclosure of Fig. 5 and it will be observedthat the arrangement functions in the same manner as the adjustablepivotal support i l described above except that additional interengagingconical surfaces are provided.

In View of the detailed description included above, the operation of theadjustable pivotal support of the present invention will be obvious tothose skilled in the art and no. further description is includedherewith.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to thespecific details of construction herein iLustrated and that changes andmodifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing fromthe present invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claimsto cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a pivotal support for a lamp which is adjustable to any positionwithin predetermined angular limits, a rotatable member supporting saidlamp and having a cone-shaped recess in either end thereof, a pair ofstationary coneshaped washers adapted to fit into said recesses, alignedapertures in said member and said washers, means for holding said memberand said Washers in interfitting relationship and for locking saidmember in adjustable position comprising a U-shaped member and a bolt,said bolt extending through said apertures and engaging 6 the arms ofsaid U-shaped member, and means for holding said washers in fixedrelationship relative to said U-shaped member comprising a recess ineach of said Washers for receiving the arms of said U-shaped member.

2. In a pivotal support for holding in a stationary position a devicesuch as a lamp, a rotatable member supporting said device and havingcone-shaped end surfaces, a pair of washers having cone-shaped portionsadapted to engage said end surfaces, aligned apertures in said rotatablemember and said washers, means for holding said member and said washersin interfitting relationship and for locking said member in adjustableposition comprising a U-shaped member and. a bolt, said bolt extendingthrough said apertures and engaging the arms of said U-shaped member,and means for holding said washers in fixed relationship relative tosaid U-shaped member.

3. An adjustable pivotal support for a normally stationary device orinstrumentality comprising a rotatable member supporting said device andhaving conical end surfaces, a plurality of members associated with eachend of said member having interengaging conical surfaces, one each ofwhich engages with the associated one of said conical end surfaces,aligned apertures in said rotatable member and said plurality ofmembers, means for holding said rotatable member and said plurality ofmembers in interengaging relationship and for locking said rotatablemember in adjustable position comprising a U-shaped member and a bolt,said bolt extending through said apertures and engaging the arms of saidU- shaped member, and means for holding only some of said plurality ofmembers in a fixed position relative to said U-shaped member.

FRED HALL WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 168,938 Thomas Oct, 19, 1875309,203 Clark et a1. Dec. 16, 1884 1.722,773 Stewart July 30, 1929

